* "The proposed amendment provides more accountability in the legislative process by requiring more votes to pass a pension benefit increase. Since the cost of benefit increases comes at a later date, the price to the taxpayers is not always noticed immediately. A higher vote requirement will signify to the governing body that they are taking a serious action and will encourage greater in-depth thought before passage."

* "The proposed amendment provides more accountability in the legislative process by requiring more votes to pass a pension benefit increase. Since the cost of benefit increases comes at a later date, the price to the taxpayers is not always noticed immediately. A higher vote requirement will signify to the governing body that they are taking a serious action and will encourage greater in-depth thought before passage."

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* "A three-fifths vote requirement means the members of the governing body, regardless of political affiliation, will need to work together to reach an agreement. A greater consensus would provide for better decisions and more serious deliberation. Given the importance of pension benefit Increases and their subsequent impact on taxpayers, greater agreement would be beneficial."

Text of measure

Upon approval by the voters, the proposed amendment, which takes effect on January 9, 2013, adds a new section to the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Constitution. The new section would require a three-fifths majority vote of each chamber of the General Assembly or the governing body of a unit of local government, school district, or pension or retirement system, in order to increase a benefit under any public pension or retirement system. At the general election to be held on November 6, 2012, you will be called upon to decide whether the proposed amendment should become part of the Illinois Constitution.

If you believe the Illinois Constitution should be amended to require a three-fifths majority vote in order to increase a benefit under any public pension or retirement system, you should vote YES on the question. If you believe the Illinois Constitution should not be amended to require a three-fifths majority vote in order to increase a benefit under any public pension or retirement system, you should vote NO on the question. Three-fifths of those voting on the question or a majority of those voting in the election must vote "YES" in order for the amendment to become effective on January 9, 2013.

For the proposed addition of Section 5.1 to Article XIII of the Illinois Constitution.YES

NO

Support

The following are arguments in favor of the measure, found in the official state "Explanation of the Proposed Amendment":[3]

"The proposed amendment provides more accountability in the legislative process by requiring more votes to pass a pension benefit increase. Since the cost of benefit increases comes at a later date, the price to the taxpayers is not always noticed immediately. A higher vote requirement will signify to the governing body that they are taking a serious action and will encourage greater in-depth thought before passage."

"A three-fifths vote requirement means the members of the governing body, regardless of political affiliation, will need to work together to reach an agreement. A greater consensus would provide for better decisions and more serious deliberation. Given the importance of pension benefit Increases and their subsequent impact on taxpayers, greater agreement would be beneficial."

Opposition

Opponents

Arguments

Opponents argue that, if enacted, the amendment in reality would do nothing to solve problems facing the state’s pension system, which, they claim, is currently more than $200 billion in debt and growing.[5][6]

Opponents also claim history shows that a supermajority voting requirement would have made virtually no difference in preventing the pension benefit increases approved by the legislature during recent decades. They say that such measures have passed by overwhelming margins in both houses of the legislature, far surpassing the supermajority mark.[5]

Opponents also argue that the ballot measure deceives voters by making them think they are doing something to solve pension issues by supporting the amendment, while to opposing it may send the message to state and local decision makers that continued pension increases are okay with taxpayers.[5]